Celtic turn down a £25m offer for their 24-year-old player as the UCL playoff race intensifies: What’s the best move for the Hoops?

West Ham United have reportedly made Celtic midfielder Arne Engels their leading transfer target during the current window, according to information from the ExWHUEmployee insider account. The 24-year-old Belgian has attracted serious attention from the Premier League club, but Celtic are refusing to make him available before their UEFA Champions League play-off campaign is decided.

Celtic prioritise Champions League ambitions

Engels enjoyed an outstanding campaign under Martin O’Neill last season, registering seven goals and eight assists in 46 appearances for the Hoops. His importance was particularly evident during decisive moments, including the penalty he converted to help Celtic retain the Scottish Premiership title against Hearts.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – JULY 25: Adam Montgomery of Celtic making a pass during Celtic v AC Milan in a pre-season friendly at Celtic Park on July 25, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

West Ham’s interest has now become increasingly serious. Reports claim the Hammers have been willing to take their offer as high as £25 million, yet Celtic have rejected the approaches without showing any indication that they are prepared to compromise.

Should Celtic sell Engels?

From Celtic’s perspective, the answer should be a straightforward no, at least for now.

Celtic are preparing for a hugely important two-legged Champions League play-off against LASK, and Engels could play a central role in determining whether they reach the lucrative group-stage phase. The financial rewards generated by Champions League qualification could ultimately exceed the amount West Ham are currently offering.

FARO, PORTUGAL – JULY 14: Arne Engels of Celtic FC (L) tries to escape Silas Andersen of Sporting CP (R) during the Sporting CP v Celtic FC Pre-Season Friendly match at Estadio Algarve on July 14, 2026 in Faro, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)

That makes selling Engels before the European tie particularly difficult to justify.

Engels is more than just another midfielder

The Belgian is not simply another player within O’Neill’s squad. He has become one of the team’s most reliable midfield performers and an important part of the manager’s tactical structure.

Engels provides composure when matches become frantic, helping Celtic retain possession and maintain control under pressure. He also possesses the confidence to take responsibility in important moments, as demonstrated by his title-clinching penalty against Hearts.

Replacing those qualities this late in the transfer window would be extremely challenging.

Celtic’s priority should be protecting the squad they have built for the biggest matches ahead. The club have already invested heavily in strengthening the attack, and there is little value in creating another hole in midfield at exactly the moment when consistency matters most.

There is also the possibility that Engels himself would prefer to remain focused on Celtic’s European challenge before considering his future. Allowing him to concentrate on those fixtures could benefit everyone involved, particularly if the club can secure qualification and give him the platform to play at the highest level.

Celtic do not need to sell

The club are not under immediate financial pressure and do not appear to have any urgent need to accept West Ham’s proposal. There is therefore little reason to prioritise a sizeable transfer fee over their sporting ambitions at this particular moment.

His midfield partnership with Callum McGregor is particularly important. Together, they provide experience, control and stability in the centre of Celtic’s team. Breaking up that partnership immediately before a decisive European tie could create an unnecessary problem for O’Neill.

Engels could become even more valuable

There is also a strong argument for Celtic waiting.

If Engels performs well during the Champions League play-off and continues to impress in European competition throughout the autumn, his market value could rise significantly beyond the £25 million currently being discussed.

A strong European campaign would give the Belgian another opportunity to showcase his abilities against higher-quality opposition and potentially attract even greater interest from clubs across Europe and the Premier League.

That means Celtic could find themselves in an even stronger negotiating position later.

Rather than viewing West Ham’s interest as something that must be resolved immediately, Celtic can afford to remain patient.

If West Ham return with an even larger offer after the play-off, Celtic can then reassess the situation from a position of strength. By waiting, they avoid making an emotional decision under pressure and give themselves time to judge both the player’s form and the club’s own needs. That would leave Celtic completely in control.

Celtic hold the advantage

Ultimately, Celtic appear to hold most of the cards in this situation.

The club know how important Engels is to their immediate ambitions, while the midfielder remains under contract and there is no obvious financial necessity to sell him. West Ham may continue to push, but Celtic have already demonstrated that they are willing to reject substantial offers.

The sensible approach is therefore to keep Engels until the Champions League play-off has been completed at the very least.

If Celtic qualify for the Champions League with Engels playing a major role, they could benefit both financially and competitively. If he then continues to perform at a high level, his eventual transfer value could become considerably greater.

For now, Celtic should choose ambition over convenience. A £25 million bid may look tempting, but losing one of O’Neill’s most important midfielders before the biggest European test of the season would be a self-inflicted wound.